A front page Wall Street Journal article on Thursday said Carilion Health System’s prices were pushing Roanoke’s health insurance rates up. The article said Carilion’s push to get independent doctors to work for the system is creating a health care monopoly in Roanoke and increasing health insurance costs. Carilion defended its practices, saying that doctors who are employees of the health system lower costs because tests and procedures are not unnecessarily duplicated. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority will spend $2 million to improve broadband Internet infrastructure in Southwest Virginia. The money will be used to provide broadband infrastructure in Russell, Tazewell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Wise, Lee and Scott counties. Local officials see broadband as critical for business retention and growth. (Bristol Herald Courier)

McLean-based Freddie Mac has tried to reassure investors that it has enough capital to avoid the need for a government bailout. But the company has acknowledged that it may have difficulty meeting a variety of regulatory standards it faces, and some analysts and investors are concerned. The company has lost 90 percent of its stock value in the past year. (The Washington Post)